Acute abdomen – Acute pain in the abdomen – Severe abdominal pain – Abdominal cramps
Description abdominal cramps
“Ostrыy life” is a medical term, used for stomachache, which usually occur suddenly and are so serious, what, perhaps, I have to go to hospital. Unlike of total abdominal pain, which can be caused by minor reasons, As such constipation or bloating, acute abdominal pain can be caused by a more serious cause, some of which require immediate medical care and / or surgery.
Causes of abdominal cramps
There are a number of possible causes of acute abdomen. These include:
- Viral gastroenteritis – stomach flu;
- Ileus;
- Hernia;
- Appendicitis – inflammation of the appendix;
- Pancreatitis – Pancreatic inflammation;
- Diverticulitis – inflammation of the diverticula, which are formed in the colon;
- Cholecystitis – inflammation of the gallbladder, with or without gallstones;
- Kholangit – inflammation of the bile duct caused by a gallstone disease, or bacterial infection;
- Gastritis – inflammation of the stomach lining, eg, from drinking too much alcohol or prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
- Infections of kidney, bladder or urinary tract;
- Stones in the kidneys;
- Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease – inflammatory bowel disease;
- Diabetic ketoacidosis – dangerously high levels of acid in the blood;
- Rupture or aneurysm of the abdominal aorta – anomalously large bulging blood vessels in the abdomen;
- Coronary insufficiency – lack or lock, blood flow to one of the abdominal organs;
- Infectious diarrhea;
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (CPK);
- Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);
- Peptic ulcer disease;
- Heart attack;
- Cancer;
- Pneumonia.
Women:
- Menstrual cramps;
- Endometriosis;
- Uterine fibroids;
- Ovarian cyst;
- Pelvic inflammatory disease, inflammation around the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes;
- Miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
Infants:
- Intussusception (penetration of one part of the intestine to another, causing obstruction of the bowel and blockage of its blood flow);
- Turning – twisting of the colon around itself;
- Hirschsprung's disease, characterized by constant constipation;
- Other congenital defects of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk factors for colic in the abdomen
Risk factors are conditions, which increase the chances of the disease. Risk factors for acute abdomen include the following:
- Infancy or childhood;
- Growing.
The symptoms of colic in the abdomen
The symptoms of acute abdomen have a different nature:
- Persistent, severe pain, swelling and / or soreness in the upper, middle or lower abdomen;
- Involuntary contraction of the abdominal muscles;
- The tension of the abdominal muscles;
- Fever.
Diagnostics “acute abdomen”
For the diagnosis of acute abdomen, the following tests:
- Blood tests;
- Analysis of urine;
- Analysis of liver function;
- Ultrasonography (US);
- MRT – examination, which allows you to take pictures of structures inside the abdomen;
- X-rays of the kidneys, urogenital system;
- Endoscopy – a thin tube inserted through the backlit throat into the abdominal cavity for her research.
Treatment of abdominal cramps
For the relief of symptoms may be prescribed analgesics, However, many doctors refuse appointment painkillers without an accurate diagnosis. Detailed information on the causes of the pain can be useful for the treatment of. Do not take drugs, such as Tylenol or ibuprofen, Do not eat or drink.
Depending on the underlying disease, which causes acute abdomen, Treatment may include:
- Antibiotics;
- The need to avoid certain foods, beverages, medication.
- Surgical intervention – It may be required to treat severe abdominal pain, a duration of at least six hours.
Prevention of abdominal cramps
Depending on the underlying disease causing acute abdomen, apply various preventive measures. For more information, please contact your doctor.